Venezuela's Chavez says Castro still working

Fidel Castro is working, writing and staying on top of world affairs, his friend Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Friday amid speculation about the former Cuban leader's health.

The 82-year-old Castro has not appeared in public since undergoing emergency intestinal surgery in July 2006, and a monthlong halt in his regular essays has raised renewed concerns about condition.

On Friday, Venezuela's presidential press office confirmed that Chavez had said Fidel Castro "is working, writing" and following international affairs. The socialist Venezuelan leader – who often communicates with Castro – made the comment to a reporter on the sidelines of a meeting with Brazil's president in western Venezuela.

Concern about Castro's health grew after he failed to send any message beyond a one-line salutation to the Cuban people on his revolution's 50th anniversary Jan. 1.

The speculation also stems from Chavez's statement Sunday that is unlikely Fidel Castro will be seen in public again.

Cuban officials have not commented on Castro's current health, and his condition and exact ailment have been state secrets since the 2006 surgery, when he ceded power to his younger brother Raul.

Since then, the government has released occasional photographs and videos of Fidel Castro. Essays penned by Castro have been published by state media, but the last one appeared on Dec. 15.